Name: Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 pound bone-in spiral-cut half ham smoked or uncured; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 cup pure maple syrup; ½ cup Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons brown sugar

There’s something irresistibly cozy about a perfectly glazed ham, shiny with sweet maple syrup and honey, that fills your kitchen with warm aromas. This Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe is just the kind of dish that makes any celebration feel extra special and every bite a little celebration of its own.

A stack of pancakes with about eight layers of thin, golden-brown pancakes sits on a white plate, each layer covered with a smooth, creamy light brown sauce that drips down the sides. The top pancake is fully coated with the sauce, making it look shiny and rich. The pancakes have a soft texture with some browning marks visible. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ll be honest — I’ve tried a bunch of ham glazes, but this honey maple combo hits that perfect sweet spot without being too sticky or overpowering. It’s simple, yet it turns an everyday ham into something you’ll want to brag about.

Perfect Balance: The honey and maple syrup blend elegantly with the tangy Dijon, creating a glaze that’s rich but never too sweet.
Effortless Prep: With just a few ingredients and some oven time, you get a show-stopping ham that looks like you worked all day.
Versatility: Whether it’s a family dinner or a holiday feast, this glaze suits every occasion and pairs beautifully with classic sides.
Impressive Results: The broiling step caramelizes the glaze into a golden, slightly crisp finish that guests always comment on.

A close-up view of a large cooked ham with many thick slices stacked and showing a shiny, brown glaze on the surface, sitting in a black pan on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand is holding a small clear glass jar filled with a smooth yellow sauce, while another woman's hand is using a spoon to pour the sauce over the top of the ham, with the sauce flowing down the sides and shining in the light. The background shows white tiled walls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe lies in its simple ingredients, each chosen to complement the ham without stealing the spotlight. I always keep these staples around, and it’s easy to find high-quality maple syrup and Dijon mustard which make a big flavor difference.

Flat lay of a whole bone-in spiral-cut half ham with natural marbling and a pinkish hue, a small white bowl filled with golden honey, a small white bowl containing dark amber pure maple syrup, a small white bowl of smooth pale yellow Dijon mustard, and a small white bowl of light brown soft brown sugar, all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bone-in spiral-cut half ham: Spiral cuts let the glaze seep beautifully between the slices, making every bite juicy and flavorful.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps the glaze thicken just right when heated.
Pure maple syrup: Brings that distinctive maple warmth and richness, enhancing the ham’s smoky notes.
Dijon mustard: Provides a sharp tang to balance the sweetness with a bit of bite.
Brown sugar: Gives a caramelized crust and deepens the glaze’s flavor complexity.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe depending on the season or my mood. Feel free to use your favorite mustard type or even add a splash of bourbon or orange juice to the glaze for a personal twist.

Variation: One year, I swapped Dijon for whole grain mustard for extra texture — it was a hit at the dinner table with a bit more tangy crunch.
Dietary swap: If you want it less sweet, try cutting back on the brown sugar or use a sugar substitute friendly to your needs.
Seasonal touch: Add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs on the ham before roasting for an herby aroma that’s festive and fresh.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Glaze with Love

Start by mixing honey, pure maple syrup, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and set it aside in the fridge — this lets the flavors meld while you prep the ham. Pro tip: cover it tightly so it stays fresh and ready.

Step 2: Get Your Ham Ready

Lay a spiral-cut ham flat-side down on a parchment-lined deep baking pan. Then sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the entire surface of the ham, gently rubbing it in. This sugar layer will help create that beautiful caramelized crust later.

Step 3: Low and Slow Baking

Cover the ham tightly with foil to keep it moist and pop it into a 275°F oven. I usually let it bake for about 15 minutes per pound — an 8-pound ham takes around 2 hours. Keep an eye on it but patience here really pays off with tenderness.

Step 4: Glaze and Broil for Perfection

Once baking is done, pull the ham from the oven and take off the foil. Set your oven to broil and carefully pour the chilled glaze all over the top. Broil for 5–8 minutes watching closely — you want a golden caramel finish, not burnt edges. The aroma here is heavenly!

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute so each bite is juicy and flavorful. Then serve and soak up the compliments!

Top Tip

After making this Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned small tweaks can make a huge difference in texture and flavor. Here are some tips I swear by to avoid mishaps.

Glaze Consistency: Make sure your glaze isn’t too runny; whisk well and chill before using so it coats the ham nicely without running off.
Low Heat Baking: Don’t rush the baking time — low and slow makes the ham juicy and tender instead of dry.
Watch the Broil: Broiling caramelizes the sugars fast, so stay nearby and check every minute to prevent burning.
Rest Before Slicing: Always let your ham rest 5–10 minutes after broiling to lock in those juices.

How to Serve Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

Honey Maple Glazed Ham - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often garnish the ham with fresh rosemary sprigs and a few thin orange slices. Not only do they add a lovely aroma, but they also brighten the presentation making it look festive and inviting.

Side Dishes

This glaze pairs beautifully with traditional sides like scalloped potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and buttery dinner rolls. For a fresh contrast, I also love a crisp apple and fennel salad on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this ham on a large wooden board surrounded by fresh fruit and herbs to create a stunning centerpiece. It encourages guests to help themselves and adds a rustic charm to the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I wrap leftover ham tightly in foil and then place it in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps it moist and ready for sandwiches or reheating for 3–4 days.

Freezing

Ham freezes well! Slice leftovers, wrap in freezer paper or place in heavy-duty freezer bags, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

I reheat ham slices gently in the oven at about 275°F, covered with foil, to avoid drying out. Adding a splash of water or extra glaze helps keep it moist and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a boneless ham for this recipe?

Yes, a boneless ham can be used, but keep in mind that spiral-cut hams have pre-sliced layers that help the glaze penetrate. If you use boneless, consider making shallow cuts to allow the glaze to soak in.

How do I prevent the glaze from burning under the broiler?

Keep a close eye on the ham during broiling and broil only for 5 to 8 minutes. Rotating the pan if necessary helps prevent spots from burning. If it starts to brown too fast, you can briefly cover with foil.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely! The glaze can be whisked together a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. Just bring it back to room temperature before applying it to the ham.

What sides go best with honey maple glazed ham?

Classic sides like scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, and fresh green salads work beautifully. I also recommend some soft dinner rolls and a tangy cranberry sauce for a well-rounded meal.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Maple Glazed Ham Recipe has become my go-to for any special gathering — it’s a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal fuss but delivers big on flavor and presentation. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings as much warmth to your table as it’s brought to mine.